Family Research Council tries to spin San Antonio loss

In case you haven't heard, after a contentious debate which included supposed education about anal sex, San Antonio passed a pro-lgbt non-discrimination ordinance. And the vote - eight to three - wasn't even close.

Of course, leave it to the Family Research Council to put a lying spin on things. In case you don't recognize the "fear predictions," they were the same thing said by folks like FRC when DADT and DOMA were struck down:

Hat tip to Jeremy Hooper

'Proposed Russian law will take children away from their gay parents' and other Thursday midday news briefs

Report: Russian Lawmaker Proposes Taking Children From Gay Parents - And why should we be surprised. This is the end result that awful anti-gay law in Russia as well as the end result of spreading anti-gay propaganda. 

FLASHBACK- Remember these sentiments:

Russia's Anti-Gay Law 'Expresses Values We've Been Advocating For Years,' Says Bryan Fischer 

 Harvey: Pray For Russian Law Criminalizing Pro-Gay Rights Speech

Six US Conservative Groups Sign Statement Supporting Russian 'Gay Propaganda' Ban 

In other news:

Gay Veterans' Spouses To Receive Benefits After DOJ Announces It Won't Enforce Marriage Definition - Way to do Obama Administration!  

La. National Guard aligns with Texas, won’t process same-sex spousal benefits - Well that's a "nice" way to treat folks who fight for YOUR freedom.  

Barber & Akers: Christians Are Now The Victims Of Don't Ask, Don't Tell - Of course this is a lie but that has never stopped the religious right before.

Ordinance fight underscores need to fight anti-gay propaganda

It was supposed to be a routine voting regarding a non-discrimination ordinance in San Antonio, TX. However, Fox News and members of the religious right were done spreading their lies and propaganda about lgbts, it got ugly. By the time some folks read this, the vote would have already happened, but from what I read on the twitter feed via some testimony from residents last night, it got really nasty. I can't tell you how many times the word "abomination" was used by folks testifying against the ordinance.

It all proves one thing - the lies of Anita Bryant aren't dead. They aren't some relic of the past. And they will continue to come and haunt the lgbt community until we make a concerted effort to meet these lies head on and beat them down BEFORE they are used against us in situations like this:

Opponents of proposed updates to the city's nondiscrimination ordinance implored the City Council on Wednesday to shift its support away from the measure while supporters rallied for Thursday's expected passage.

The scene repeated last week's demonstrations at City Hall, with a steady stream of speakers for and against controversial additions to the city's proposed ordinance that would add protections for sexual orientation, gender identity and veteran status to existing city code.

Foes of the measure, dressed in blue, urged the 11-member body to spike the imminent vote, or at least postpone it and craft a new proposal that wouldn't trample on their “religious freedoms.”
Proponents, dressed in red, said the issue isn't a religious one. They argued that it's a struggle for human rights.

More than 700 people registered to speak Wednesday. By 10:30 p.m., less than a third had addressed the council.

Some questioned how many cases of discrimination exist in San Antonio and bristled at the powers granted to the city to clamp down on religious expression and free speech. They threatened to dethrone council members who vote in favor of the measure. Others quoted Scripture about eternal consequences for violating socially conservative religious views.

 . . . Supporters, meanwhile, urged passage as a long-overdue policy that would not change society but add protections to a vulnerable, deserving group. They also questioned what religion would not want to spread equality and compassion in the treatment of all groups.

 . . . Speakers parsed Bible verses and social studies to bolster their opposing views of what the proposed ordinance would do. Conservative Christian leaders cited literal verses of the Bible denouncing homosexuality. Others focused on verses promoting justice, equality and compassion.

Before the meeting began at 6 p.m., people stood in a line through Main Plaza that wrapped around the side of the council chambers. Inside, metal detectors awaited them. Uniformed and plainclothes officers kept tight protocols.

A red-shirted group chanted, “What do we want? Equality. When do we want it? Now.” Members of the same church looked on, wearing T-shirts with their congregation's name and “vote no” stickers.

You can read the full article here.

Related post - How They See Us: Unmasking the Religious Right War on Gay America

Linda Harvey wants you to pray for gay persecution law in Russia

Linda Harvey

Forget any nonsense folks like to spin about gays attempting to harm "Christians." It's this type of junk which does Christians real harm. Linda Harvey has no idea what she is talking about. She is a former advertising executive who supposedly "found Christ." Based upon her backing of this awful law, Harvey needs to check herself in terms of what she supposedly found. It definitely was NOT the Jesus many of us know. What's even more insulting is the flippant way she addresses the violence directed towards Russian lgbts because of this law.

From Right Wing Watch:

Mission America’s Linda Harvey used her radio commentary today to sing the praises of the Russian government’s growing crackdown on the LGBT community, calling on listeners to pray for the law which bans pro-gay rights speech. Harvey, who has joined other Religious Right activists in endorsing the law, said that any “responsible adult” would back Russia’s criminalization of gay “propaganda.”

'Anti-gay bakery owners whine about having to obey the law' and other Wednesday midday news briefs

Sweet Cakes By Melissa Bakers Speak Out After Anti-Gay Controversy Prompts Business To Close - But the religious right told us that this bakery was doing SO WELL. You know how I feel about this. If a business can discriminate against gays based on religious beliefs, then where is the line drawn? We must remember to repeat that as these folks will be put up as martyrs by the anti-gay right. But apparently WE are the bad guys. OKAY. 

Flora Margarine's Anti-Gay Ad Sparks Controversy, Parent Company Unilever Speaks Out - They claim to be sorry. They had better be.  

Affirming Christians Directly Challenge the False Idea That all Christians are Anti-Gay, by Proclaiming That we are ‘Not All Like That’ - I LOVE this. Affirming Christians really need to keep the religious right from boggarting the conversation on lgbt equality.  

Federal Judge: Ohio Must Recognize Widower’s Same-Sex Spouse On Death Certificate - Good news on the federal level!

Australian Prime Minister Rudd creates 'historic moment' for marriage equality

Apparently the above video is being called a "historic moment" in Australian politics. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd simple answer to New Hope Church pastor Matt Prater's question regarding marriage equality has supposedly caused a lot of controversy - much of it positive - on the subject of marriage equality in Australia. Oh if we only had moments like this in America.

'God will get us for allowing gay marriage' and other Tuesday afternoon news briefs

Mefferd: If SCOTUS Legalizes Gay Marriage, Prepare For Divine Punishment - So if marriage equality is legalized, God is going to "get" us. Never mind stealing land from Native Americans, subjecting women to second-class status, and enslaving the bodies and minds of African-Americans for over 200 years. It's allowing gay folks to get married which will cause God to get really angry. 

 Fischer: Gay Activists Are Modern Day Nazi Stormtroopers - I know for a fact that this isn't true. I have seen Nazi uniforms and no gay man ALIVE would be caught in that awful battleship grey. 

Linda Harvey, WND call me 'vicious' - Well this sucks! Why can't Linda Harvey ever call ME mean? I'm the gay Alexis Carrington Colby.

 Fox's Starnes: Businesses Should Be Allowed To Discriminate Against Gay Customers - "Wrong Way" Todd Starnes strikes again. 

 'Pier Kids:The Life,' Elegance Bratton Film, Evidences The Struggles Of LGBT Homeless Youth - All jokes aside, this is a problem which needs more attention.

SC gay couple sues to overturn ban on same-sex marriage

Oh this is going to be interesting. If gay couples can win the right to marry in my crazy state of SC, then you KNOW the world has turned sharp:

A legally married gay couple living in South Carolina is suing to have the state's ban on gay marriage overturned.

Highway Patrol Trooper Katherine Bradacs and Tracie Goodwin filed the lawsuit Thursday in federal court against Gov. Nikki Haley and state Attorney General Alan Wilson.

The lawsuit said a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision shows that states can't outlaw same sex marriages because they do not approve of them morally. Bradacs and Goodwin were married in Washington, D.C., in April 2012, according to court papers.
 
"They are treated as legal strangers in their home state of South Carolina," the couple's lawyer wrote in court papers.

A spokesman for Haley said the governor's office did not see the lawsuit until Monday and were reviewing it.

"Gov. Haley, like the majority of South Carolinians, supports traditional marriage as defined between one man and one woman, and in accordance with state law, will continue to uphold those values," her spokesman Doug Mayer said.

South Carolina passed a law banning same-sex marriage in 1996, with voters passing a similar constitutional amendment in 2006 with 78 percent of the vote.

The lawsuit points out Bradacs works in public safety and Goodwin is 80 percent disabled from the U.S. Air Force and gets veteran's benefits. The suit said gay people who are first responders are denied the peace of mind of knowing if they die serving the public, their spouses will get the same financial support given to survivors with heterosexual spouses in South Carolina.

Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/2013/09/02/2956427/gay-couple-sues-over-sc-same-sex.html#storylink=cpy

Know Your LGBT History - Three's Company

I've always believed that Three's Company (1977-1984) was a good comedy which skirted the line in early seasons between funny and downright insulting. It was about three roommates - one guy and two women - sharing an apartment together. The landlord, Mr. Roper, is totally against the three living together until he is made to believe that the man, Jack, is gay. Of course Jack isn't gay and that leads to interesting plotlines and stupid jokes regarding sexual orientation. One episode in particular was the 1978 second season episode, Strange Bedfellows:

Past Know Your LGBT History Posts:

'Ordinance fight shows hypocrisy of anti-gay 'Christians'' and other Friday midday news briefs

San Antonio LGBT Anti-Discrimination Law Draws Hundreds To 'Pray' In Protest - This article demonstrates the hypocrisy of so many anti-gay "Christians." On one hand, they talk patronizingly about loving gays while at the same time lauding a councilwoman who called us vile names. The problem with so many wannabe Christians is that they take opposite positions on gays at the same time and then get angry at being called two-faced. 

NOM political director to head CA’s anti-trans effort (#MoreThanMarriage) - So much for NOM only being "concerned" about marriage. 

How Chris Christie Is Leading A 'Sex Cult' And Turning New Jersey Into Gay Saudi Arabia - There are SOOOO many things wrong with that headline, article, thought, and words grouped together.

HHS Extends Medicare Coverage for Same-Sex Spouses in Nursing Homes - Sweet! 

 Liberty Counsel’s Ex-Gay Rhetoric Is Too Extreme Even For Focus On The Family - Hmmmm. This may get interesting.

Corsi: Gay marriage is wrong because sex is not about fun

Jerome Corsi, World Net Daily's go-to-guy when it comes to Obama conspiracies - such as the supposed fake birth certificate and Obama is gay - tackled the subject of marriage equality at a recent conservative event in Oregon.

Naturally, he is against it, but how he defends his position is kinda . . . well extremely hilarious:

“Our founding fathers knew that if we went this direction, there was no more moral compass and you won’t be able to explain to your children — you’ll have to face the fact that we lost holding the line on one of the most principle issues in the Bible, and that is sex is not about fun,” he remarked. “If you want to have fun, read a book, go to a movie. Sex is about the procreation of children. It’s a sacred responsibility that is meant by God to have men and women commit their lifetime to children.”

On the risk of sounding snarky, I think Corsi misspoke. He actually meant to say that sex with HIM is not fun.

Court upholds CA ban on 'ex-gay' therapy for minors

How's this for a sonic boom:

A federal appeals court on Thursday upheld the nation's first-of-its-kind law in California prohibiting health practitioners from offering psychotherapy aimed at making gay youth straight.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco ruled that the state's ban on so-called conversion therapy for minors doesn't violate the free speech rights of licensed counselors and patients seeking treatment
.
The activities of pastors and lay counselors who are unlicensed but provide such therapy through church programs would not be covered under the law.

The case before the appeals court was brought by professionals who practice sexual-orientation change therapy, two families who say their teenage sons benefited from it, and a national association of Christian mental health counselors. They argued the ban infringes on their free speech and freedom of association and religious rights. The counselors also argue it jeopardizes their livelihoods.

However, in a 3-0 ruling, the court panel held that California has the power to prohibit licensed mental health providers from administering therapies deemed harmful, and the fact that speech may be used to carry out those therapies does not turn such bans into prohibitions of speech.

The law says therapists and counselors who treat minors with methods designed to eliminate or reduce their same-sex attractions would be engaging in unprofessional conduct and subject to discipline by state licensing boards.'

Time to pass that same law in other states.

'Vile right-wing host smears gays, African-Americans, the Obamas' and other Thursday midday news briefs

Stan Solomon: Trayvon Martin Deserved To Die And So Does 'That Faggot' Dan Savage - How's this for proof about the common enemy of gays and African-Americans? Our movements are connected every time so-and so's like this guy open their mouths.  

Obama Connects Anti-Gay Discrimination With Racial Prejudice In Historic Speech - How very appropriate after the above news brief.  

The Daily Caller Just Can't Stop Defending Russia's Anti-Gay Crackdown - Keep it up, guys. Make yourselves irrelevant. 

Michigan Religious Conservatives Rely On Regnerus To Oppose Marriage Equality - This is why we must fight constantly. Even when it's refuted, members of the religious right will still utilize bad research.

 Miller On Fox: "Operation Or Not," Chelsea Manning Is "Living The Next 35 Years ... As A Woman" - Poor Dennis Miller. 9/11 definitely changed him. He became less funny and more of an asshole.

Gay presence at 50 anniversary of 1963 March on Washington

This is just too awesome for words. GLSEN's Executive Director, Eliza Byard speaks at the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington. In 1963, folks weren't even talking about gay equality. Now we have a place at the table at this momentous event.

Live blog: "The Life and Legacy of Bayard Rustin" panel discussion

Live streaming video by Ustream

Join the Human Rights Campaign, Center for Black Equity, Hilton Worldwide and Verizon for a panel discussion and reception honoring the life and legacy of Bayard Rustin.

The event features:

The Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton, U.S. House of Representatives, District of Columbia, friend and colleague to Rustin during the 1963 March on Washington

Mandy Carter, National Coordinator, Bayard Rustin Commemoration, National Black Justice Coalition

Damien Conners, National Executive Director/COO for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Inc(SCLC)

 MacArthur Flournoy, theologian, author, and preacher, is the Director for Faith Partnership and Mobilization for the Human Rights Campaign

And moderator Earl D. Fowlkes, Jr., President & CEO, The Center for Black Equity

'Pat Robertson, CBN attempting to suppress 'AIDS rings' video' and other Wednesday midday news briefs

The Gay AIDS Ring Video Pat Robertson Doesn't Want You To See - YEP! It's official. Pat Robertson REALLY stepped into it this time.

 MOW ‘Master Strategist’ Bayard Rustin Finally Recognized - I KNOW that I am not alone when I say IT'S ABOUT TIME!

Latest 'ex-gay' claim: Wayne Besen 'may be responsible for countless HIV infections' - So now the "ex-gay" industry is attacking one of my mentors, Wayne Besen. I feel sorry for them because Wayne don't play.  

New York Times: Prisons Should ‘Do The Right Thing’ For Transgender Inmates - Yes they should. Period.  

Despite DOMA Ruling, Gay Veterans May Still Be Denied Marriage Benefits - This here is disgusting. They fight for our freedom and they are being denied. 

Editor's note - Tune in tonight for a special post on Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters. And no, it's NOT about my book. LOL!

Nebraska's ban on gay adoption, foster care challenged in courts

Unbelievable. I didn't even know that Nebraska had a ban on gay adoption and foster care. From Reuters:

Gay and lesbian couples in Nebraska should be allowed to serve as foster or adoptive parents to children who are in state custody, according to a state court lawsuit filed on Tuesday.

A lesbian couple and two gay couples filed the lawsuit in a Lincoln district court arguing the state policy created in 1995 banning them from becoming foster or adoptive parents to children under care of Nebraska is unconstitutional.

The lawsuit comes two months after the U.S. Supreme Court threw out a key part of the Defense of Marriage Act, which barred same-sex couples from federal marriage benefits.

 . . . Nebraska's policy prohibits the state's department of health and human services from issuing foster-home licenses to or placing children with people who identify themselves as homosexuals or to people who are unrelated, unmarried adults living together.

Pat Robertson: Gays deliberately spread AIDS through special rings they wear

UPDATE – I think it’s safe to assume that we have a SERIOUS controversy here.  According to the New Civil Rights Movement, Robertson has forced youtube to take down the video mentioned in this post.  You will notice that even the video from Right Wing Watch (included in this post) seems to be gone. But never fear, if you want to see the video, click on this Huffington Post link.

Mark this one down. I think Pat Robertson has gone so far that even he feels the need to dial himself back. At the end of this clip, he clearly says that gays spread AIDS through special rings we supposedly wear:



Apparently that comment about gays spreading AIDS due to special rings has caused a huge controversy. According to Right-Wing Watch, CBN - Robertson's network - first edited the remarks away then removed the youtube video.

Later that day, Robertson tried to rescind his comments. I think he made things worse:

 "I was asked by a viewer whether she had a right to leave her church because she had been asked to transport an elderly man who had AIDS and about whose condition she had not been informed. My advice was that the risk of contagion in those circumstances was quite low and that she should continue to attend the church and not worry about the incident.

"In my own experience, our organization sponsored a meeting years ago in San Francisco where trained security officers warned me about shaking hands because, in those days, certain AIDS-infected activists were deliberately trying to infect people like me by virtue of rings which would cut fingers and transfer blood.

"I regret that my remarks had been misunderstood, but this often happens because people do not listen to the context of remarks which are being said. In no wise (sic) were my remarks meant as an indictment of the homosexual community or, for that fact, to those infected with this dreadful disease." - Pat Robertson, in a statement emailed to me by the head publicist for the 700 Club.

'Right-wing still angry that they don't get to discriminate against gays' and other Tuesday midday news briefs

NRO's Dennis Prager: LGBT Non-Discrimination Efforts Breed "Fascism" - Because apparently nothing says "facism" like equality. Yes, that confuses me, too. 

 Hawaiian Bishop: Discriminating Against Same-Sex Couples Is Just - This bishop's points are just sad. And they get sadder when Think Progress refutes them.

 Jamaica Mob Traps And Barricades 5 Gay Men In House (VIDEO) - This is scary as hell. 

ADF warns of a worldwide, pro-LGBT 'war' - And the religious right are conjuring up visions of war using crosshairs (again). And what's worse? Of course they are smearing the lgbt community but didn't even make the crosshairs pink in color (bad joke, sorry).

 Republicans Say It’s Unfair To Compare Civil Rights To LGBT Rights - Of course they say this while simultaneously attempting to keep gays from marrying and African-Americans from voting.

Louis Farrakhan and homosexuality 40 years ago

How's this for a nauseating blast from the past? I found this clip on youtube and just had to share it. It's 1972 footage of Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan talking about homosexuality. Check out how the audience is filled with his supporters cheering him on: